The Board has decided to remand the case due to deficiencies in the medical opinion and need for a new examination.
The deciding factor: The VA examiner's opinion was inadequate as it did not consider the May 2009 private treatment records, which noted a cyst on the Veteran's face by the outer left eye. The Board also found that the preexisting condition presumption could not be applied without proper medical evidence.
- Claimed conditions
- acne, cyst on face, scarring
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- November 7, 2023
- Citation
- A23031094
This is a plain-language summary generated by AI from a public Board of Veterans’ Appeals decision. It can contain errors — always verify against the original. Look up the original decision on VA.gov (opens in a new tab) using citation A23031094.
What this means for you
A remand is not a loss. The Board sent the case back for more development — often a new exam or missing records — before making a final decision. Many remands later end in a grant, and the decision spells out exactly what the Board wanted to see.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided to remand the claims for chronic fatigue syndrome and acne due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error. The Veteran's service-connected conditions will need further examination, and an adequate medical opinion is required regarding the relationship between his acne and his bipolar disorder.
- Denied
The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including left leg shin splints, right leg shin splints, joint pain (claimed as arthritis), sleep apnea, fatigue, neck condition, acne, and lung condition. The evidence did not show a current disability or link to military service.
- Granted
The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevented him from engaging in gainful employment as of January 1, 2019. The Board granted a TDIU effective from that date.
- Denied
The Veteran's claim for bilateral hearing loss is denied as there is no current diagnosis of hearing loss.,The Veteran's claim for hemorrhoids is denied as the evidence does not establish a medical nexus between her current condition and military service.,The Veteran's claim for acne is denied as her pre-existing condition was not aggravated by military service.
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